Disturbing, sad, and unfortunately all too true

[Ultra-Hog]

After many recent discussions with friends and co-workers, this article appeared in our local newspaper. I think the author nails it. It speaks for itself.

http://www.centredaily.com/225/story/26257.html

Centre Daily Times
Posted on Tue, Feb. 27, 2007
Study: College students more narcissistic
By DAVID CRARY - AP National Writer
NEW YORK -- Today's college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships and American society.
"We need to stop endlessly repeating 'You're special' and having children repeat that back," said the study's lead author, Professor Jean Twenge of San Diego State University. "Kids are self-centered enough already."
Twenge and her colleagues, in findings to be presented at a workshop Tuesday in San Diego on the generation gap, examined the responses of 16,475 college students nationwide who completed an evaluation called the Narcissistic Personality Inventory between 1982 and 2006.
The standardized inventory, known as the NPI, asks for responses to such statements as "If I ruled the world, it would be a better place," "I think I am a special person" and "I can live my life any way I want to."
The researchers describe their study as the largest ever of its type and say students' NPI scores have risen steadily since the current test was introduced in 1982. By 2006, they said, two-thirds of the students had above-average scores, 30 percent more than in 1982.
Narcissism can have benefits, said study co-author W. Keith Campbell of the University of Georgia, suggesting it could be useful in meeting new people "or auditioning on 'American Idol.'"
"Unfortunately, narcissism can also have very negative consequences for society, including the breakdown of close relationships with others," he said.
The study asserts that narcissists "are more likely to have romantic relationships that are short-lived, at risk for infidelity, lack emotional warmth, and to exhibit game-playing, dishonesty, and over-controlling and violent behaviors."
Twenge, the author of "Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled - and More Miserable Than Ever Before," said narcissists tend to lack empathy, react aggressively to criticism and favor self-promotion over helping others.
The researchers traced the phenomenon back to what they called the "self-esteem movement" that emerged in the 1980s, asserting that the effort to build self-confidence had gone too far.
As an example, Twenge cited a song commonly sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques" in preschool: "I am special, I am special. Look at me."
"Current technology fuels the increase in narcissism," Twenge said. "By its very name, MySpace encourages attention-seeking, as does YouTube."
Some analysts have commended today's young people for increased commitment to volunteer work. But Twenge viewed even this phenomenon skeptically, noting that many high schools require community service and many youths feel pressure to list such endeavors on college applications.
Campbell said the narcissism upsurge seemed so pronounced that he was unsure if there were obvious remedies.
"Permissiveness seems to be a component," he said. "A potential antidote would be more authoritative parenting. Less indulgence might be called for."
The new report follows a study released by UCLA last month which found that nearly three-quarters of the freshmen it surveyed thought it was important to be "very well-off financially." That compared with 62.5 percent who said the same in 1980 and 42 percent in 1966.
Yet students, while acknowledging some legitimacy to such findings, don't necessarily accept negative generalizations about their generation.
Hanady Kader, a University of Washington senior, said she worked unpaid last summer helping resettle refugees and considers many of her peers to be civic-minded. But she is dismayed by the competitiveness of some students who seem prematurely focused on career status.
"We're encouraged a lot to be individuals and go out there and do what you want, and nobody should stand in your way," Kader said. "I can see goals and ambitions getting in the way of other things like relationships."
Kari Dalane, a University of Vermont sophomore, says most of her contemporaries are politically active and not overly self-centered.
"People are worried about themselves - but in the sense of where are they're going to find a place in the world," she said. "People want to look their best, have a good time, but it doesn't mean they're not concerned about the rest of the world."
Besides, some of the responses on the narcissism test might not be worrisome, Dalane said. "It would be more depressing if people answered, 'No, I'm not special.'"

END of article.

A definition from: http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis1/p21-pe07.html

Narcissistic Personality Disorder:

Diagnostic Criteria
A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
requires excessive admiration
has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

[SixtyFiveandCounting]

Great find Ultra Hog. Thanks for sharing and lets hope we continue to share it as well.

[tomcat]

Their are far greater problems than that. What I find funny is it took five psychologists that long to figure that out. The real crying shame is how much tax dollars went into such a study. Another rip off!

[SixtyFiveandCounting]

Far greater you're right and I am of the opinion that this attitude may be a strong contributor to those far greater issues.
JMHO
AND...maybe it took so long because Rome wasn't built in a day either.

[Pizza Man]

SixtyFiveandCounting wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")AND...maybe it took so long because Rome wasn't built in a day either.
How do you study trends and not do it over an extended period of time?

[Ultra-Hog]

The study did not create something new, it simply documented the evidence of what was observed. It was not a snap-shot but rather a lengthy study for a very good reason. For me, it did help to define and explain the behavior of some individuals that I have witnessed myself. For those that feel that it hits a little too close to home, there may be a reason for that.

[SixtyFiveandCounting]

Ultra-Hog wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote") For those that feel that it hits a little too close to home, there may be a reason for that.
Amen brutha.

[Ultra-Hog]

I just had an encounter with a person that fits nearly point in the definition and he.................... Oh hell, I'm just too disgusted to put it into words. :( Too bad, so sad. No point in bringing everyone else down on such a fine Monday morning!

[bigdave269]

Who would have thought that all those liberal child-rearing techniques developed in the 60's and 70's would end up contributing to the creation of America's largest crop of...

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

REPUBLICANS!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

(If you think that association is a stretch, read John Dean's book, Conservatives Without Conscience. Republicans tend to label themselves as narcissistic.)

[Ridgeline2006]

Interesting article, seems like it just goes to show you that the touchy feely method of negotiating and praising when a little NO would suffice isn't such a good thing!

[Cool Cat]

bigdave269 wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Who would have thought that all those liberal child-rearing techniques developed in the 60's and 70's would end up contributing to the creation of America's largest crop of...

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

REPUBLICANS!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

(If you think that association is a stretch, read John Dean's book, Conservatives Without Conscience. Republicans tend to label themselves as narcissistic.)


Congratulations Dave! You've successfully taken a banana, squished it, turned it upside down, sprinkled some rose petals on top and then called it an elephant!

It takes real skill to pull that off. How much beach front property have you sold in the Mojave lately? You could make a fortune.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :shock:

[bigdave269]

Thanks, CC! If something can be politicized, I can frame it! Look for my upcoming new handle, "SpinDr." :lol: